History
St. Matthew's began as a mission church of Christ Church, Moorabool St. on February 6, 1890. The original church building (now located beside the car park in Normanby St.) was first built in Wall St., south of the present Infant Welfare Centre. A former mayor of Geelong, Mr. G.F. Belcher, contributed generously to half the cost of the church building and paid for the building of the original Parish Hall and Infant's Room. He preached regularly and, with his family, conducted Sunday School.
In 1916 St. Matthew's became a parish in its own right and the original buildings were moved to the Normanby St. site on the south-west corner with Thear St. Part of the former Geelong Grammar sports ground, with a McKillop St. frontage, was later purchased by the Diocese. By 1929 the original vicarage and the first tennis courts were built on this land. The congregation outgrew its church building and services were moved into the Parish Hall. The decision was made to build a brick church, and architect Louis Williams of Melbourne was commissioned.
The memorial stone was laid on September 22, 1928 by Bishop Green, who consecrated the new church building on Saturday, March 23, 1929. Generous donations from parishioners and a diocesan loan enabled the financing of 10,000 pounds, which was fully repaid in 1955. Church furniture was also donated by parishioners, often in memory of loved ones. In 1952 the cost of the pipe organ, a Peace Memorial following World War II, was met by subscription. Brick porches were added in 1962.
Between 1950 and 1964 St. Matthew's had a branch church in Fagg St. called St. Philip's. For a time there was a thriving ministry to a growing post-war housing area. However, attendance declined and as the congregation became more mobile it was more convenient and efficient to meet at St. Matthew's. During these years Deaconess Ruby Moore provided faithful additional ministry.
The original church building was used as a kindergarten from 1949 until 1980. As time passed renovation of the timber buildings became urgent and expensive. In 1979 the site of the original tennis courts in Normanby St. was divided. Two southernmost blocks were sold to the City Council to build a new kindergarten and a nearer one used for the erection of a new brick vicarage, dedicated in June 1980.
New tennis courts were laid at the rear of the church building in 1983. The original vicarage, later named Hebron House, became a venue for Sunday School and fellowship meetings. The large weatherboard Parish Hall sited on the Thear St corner block opposite the Church was demolished in 1988 as repairs had become too expensive. During 1989, the church building was carpeted throughout. Hebron House was renovated internally and a toilet block and small meeting room added between Hebron House and the tennis courts.
As the church grew under the leadership of Jack Humphrey in the 1990's, it became imperative that a new meeting hall be built to support the various new ministries and activities that were emerging. In 1995 a multi-staged plan was approved to build a new meeting and office complex. Following intense activity over the next seven years entailing: detailed architectural planning, relocation and refurbishment of the Old Church and halls, construction and furnishing of the new hall, building fund appeals, working bees etc. During an 18 month period $195,000 was raised for the building fund from the Parishioners through direct giving God really blessed us through the generosity of His people. The official opening of the Hall was made by Archbishop Peter Watson in March 2002. The upgrading of Hebron House to provide staff offices and meeting rooms, together with the exterior landscaping, was completed in 2003.
Our first century saw many changes, but our focus has always been and will continue to be to welcome people to hear the good news of Jesus Christ and to encourage them become active members of His church. The challenge to present the good news of the Gospel in a culturally relevant way without compromise is still with us. We aim to be a faithful to Jesus especially among the needy, poor, marginalised and suffering in our community. Pray that God will bless us and guide us in all that we do in the years ahead.
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